Somawathiya Chethiya (Somawathi Stupa), Sri Lanka

Reaching Somawathiya Chethiya (Stupa)We will be arriving from Polonnaruwa
or from Minneriya. Coming
from Minneriya, we will have to pass the Higurakgoda town to reach
Sungawila. From Pollonnaruwa, we will need to turn at the Hospital
Junction (between Polonnaruwa and Kaduruwela towns). The distance to the
stupa from both these towns (Minneriya as well as Polonnaruwa) is about
40 kilometers. The Somawathiya Chethiya is located by the bank of the
River Mahaveli within the Somawathiya strict natural reserve and
wildlife sanctuary. Sungawila is the last village we come across on the
route to Somawathiya. Once we pass this village we are at Somawathiya
strict natural reserve and wildlife sanctuary. It is said to have been
the abode of 500 Arahat (supremely enlightened, who broke free from the
suffering in the cosmos, the eternal cycle of birth, death & rebirth)
Bhikkhus in the 2nd century BC.

Somawathiya strict
natural reserve and wildlife sanctuaryThe flood plains of Mahaveli River with luxuriously growing
grasslands have been inhibited by a large number of wild animals ranging
from elephants, wild buffalo & deer. On the low lying banks of the
mighty river are other areas protecting wildlife, i.e.
Wasgomuwa
National Park, Flood Plains National Park and Trikonamadu Natural Reserve.

Through the jungle and The Villu wetlandsSungawila onwards it's a lonely dusty unpaved road of 12 kilometers. We
will be driving through the jungle and villus to the great isolated
dagoba. The last stretch of the road is right in the land of elephants.
Early morning or late in the evening, we are sure to come across few
wild elephants. The villagers are used to encounters with wild elephants
in the temple grounds during the nights too. The keepers of the cadjan
stalls do not fail to throw few bunches of bananas here & there for the
benefit of the wild elephants. The beasts would be content with the
small gift to leave the occupants of the stalls unharmed.

The River Mahaweli that changed its course 800 years agoThe historical records narrate that the Somawathiya stupa was built on
the eastern bank of the Mahaveli River. But today the stupa is located
about 1/2 km from the west bank of the river. Initial confusion was
subsequently solved with discovery that the river has changed its course
during the last 800 years and in fact the current sandy road leading to
the Somawathi was the path of the river some 800 years ago. The change
of course River Mahaweli at Somawthiya correlate well with A. Denis N.
Fernando's (at BMICH on 18th October 2002) theory in relation to the
"Decline of the ancient Hydraulic civilization of Sri Lanka".

Sacred right tooth relic of BuddhaSomawathiya was built in 2nd century BC. According to chronicles,
Somawathi Chethiya was built by Prince Giri-aba on the request of his
wife Princess Somawathi (sister of King Kavanthissa) who lived on a
small community called "Somapura" on the banks of Mahaveli River. Upon
completion of the Stupa, Sacred right tooth relic of Buddha was gifted
to the prince by Buddhist monk Maha Thera Mahinda. The relic was
enshrined in relic chamber of the stupa. From then on till 4th century
AD, the sacred city was renovated by King Kannitta Tissa, King
Kurtakanna Tissa, King Gamini Abhaya and King Amanda Gamini.

Rediscovery of the site & excavationsThe site was rediscovered in 1940's and in 1948 Ceylon secured
independence from the British colonialists. Renovations were initiated
by a group of devotees. In 1964 archaeologists started excavating the
site. While excavating the main stupa, a smaller stupa at a depth of 5
feet into the main stupa was found. It is believed this smaller stupa
was the original Somawathi Chethiya build by prince Giriaba in the 2nd
century BC and the latter stupa build around the original was the work
of King Kanitta Tissa in 164 AD. Archaeologists unearthed several ruins
of structures including a wall surrounding the stupa. Also unearthed are
four moonstones, flower pedestals, six 3 1/2 feet long "siripa gal" (rocks
carved with the image of sole of the feet of Buddha). Nine stone
inscriptions have been found around this site & four of the nine
inscriptions on the Eric Swan rock.

Eric Swan rockThe Eric Swan rock is located a few meters away from the gravel road,
about 100 meters before the main entrance to the temple. Eric Swan who
took a shot at the massive reclining Buddha statue carved into the rock
was killed by one of the wild elephants who were disturbed by the sound
of the gunshot. Elephants used to rub their backs & butts (Eh!) on a
nearby rock outcrop. Carved into the rock surface where Eric Swan stood
standing cross-legged, flamboyantly took his aim & shot at the Buddha
statue is the print of his shuffled feet. A villager has resolved to
etch the uncivilized act right into the huge rock itself.

When it was revealed that the Sacred Right Tooth Relic of Buddha was
enshrined in the relic chamber of this stupa, Diyawadane Nilame
(Appointed Guardian of the other existing tooth relic) Giragama Nilame,
of Dalada Maligawa (The Holy Temple of the Tooth) launched a search for
the lost stupa. The misdirected intention of the Guardian of the Holy
Temple of Tooth at Kandy was to secure the custody of the right tooth
relic & to deposit it alongside the left tooth relic at Holy Temple of
Tooth at Kandy. It is said that the guide lost his sight on the day the
team reached the stupa. During the excavation cobras surfaced & a swarm
of wasps attacked the team. While fleeing from the wasps the Guardian of
The Holy Temple of Tooth was injured. He later died of the wound. The
story rings a bell. Death of Howard Carter & others following the
excavation of tomb of Tutankhamen.

The light & no sound show 1 for Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC)A flash in the pan. During the renovation of the stupa a ceremony was
held for the purpose of enshrining relics in the relic chamber of the
stupa. The ceremony on 30th June 1977 was attended by correspondents of
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Beams of light radiated out of the
stupa illuminating the sky. 7.20a.m.

The light & no sound show 2 for the President of Sri LankaA freak. A repetition of freak of rays of lights took place on 4th July
in 1981 at the inauguration ceremony. At the arrival of then President
of Sri Lanka Mr. J. R. Jayawardhana for the purpose of ceremonious
unveiling of "Kotha" (pinnacle) of the stupa at 2 pm, once the phenomena
of "rays of light" took place illuminating whole sky with the colour of
yellow & the seemed as if it is moon. The all yellow colour of the sky
seemed to have a fleeting effect of shrouding the sun. The white clothes
of the pilgrims attending the ceremony too were illuminated in the
colour of yellow.

It was arranged for the president to unveil the "kotha" (pinnacle
studded with a large jewel) by simply pulling down a rope tied with the
flag knot to the pinnacle of the stupa. Having witnesses the phenomena,
the president decided to rise to the occasion & go hell for leather. He
climbed to the top by way of a temporary stairway built for workers and
unveiled the pinnacle with bare hands.

The light & no sound show 3 for the President's sister & brother
Freak 2. As if the President himself wouldn't do, a repetition of the
show took place for his siblings on the 28th April 2002. Among the
thousands of pilgrims were sister and the brother of President J..R.
Jayawardhana who were there to pay homage to the chethiya. This time it
was continued for over 45 minutes.

The light & no sound show 4 Freak 3. Again on 13th August 2006, poya day (full moon day) and
continued for about 3 minutes. Could all these freak incidents are
caused by the congregation of deities (other superior beings in other
worlds = celestial beings = extraterrestrial beings) who visited to pay
respect for the Sacred Tooth Relic?

Seruwila Raja Maha Vihara (Seruwila stupa)Habarana Trincomalee road via beautiful
Kantalai tank is the quickest
route to Seruwila. At Somapura we pass an approach road to Somawathie
Chatiya National Park. Close to Allai tank is Seruwila Stupa. It was
originally built by King Kavantissa in the second century AD. The small
restored dagoba is said to enshrine the Buddha's frontal bone relic.
Around the stupa are several ancient structures & two caves housing
Buddha sheltered by Nagaraja (cobra king) statues.